The City of White Rock is making changes to parking at the Waterfront to respond to changing community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Council on April 27 approved parking changes that include:
- East Beach
The 15-minute pay-parking spaces on the East Beach are converting to 30-minute pay parking. The goal is to encourage brief visits to businesses, including picking up takeout food and other goods, and then leaving the parking space for the next customer. - West Beach: West of Oxford Street
The 15-minute parking spaces on the south side of Marine Drive, west of Oxford Street, are converting to four-hour parking, only for residents with yellow decals from 2019 or 2020. This allows White Rock residents who have difficulty travelling to the beach without a vehicle to get some exercise and fresh air while practising safe distancing. - West Beach: East of Oxford Street
The 15-minute pay-parking spaces on Marine Drive and side streets east of Oxford Street are converting to 30-minute pay parking. This allows brief visits to businesses, including pickup of takeout food and other goods, and then leaving the parking space for the next customer.
The City is enforcing the parking rules at the Waterfront and will be installing signs in the next week.
Other Parking Changes
As part of the COVID-19 pandemic adjustments, in March the City:
- Closed parking lots on the East and West Beaches on the south side of Marine Drive and the West Beach Parkade to reduce the number of visitors to the Waterfront
- Began allowing residents to use 2019 parking decals until new decals can be processed
- Dedicated free City parking spaces for hospital-related activity near Peace Arch Hospital to show support for health care workers.
The White Rock Pier and Promenade are also temporarily closed to reduce the number of people visiting White Rock’s Waterfront.
Quote
Mayor Darryl Walker
“The City of White Rock is taking its direction from the Provincial Health Officer when it comes to physical distancing, and we will continue to make the health and safety of the people of White Rock a priority. The parking changes approved by Council balance community needs with the need to ensure we work together to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Council heard from businesses that 15 minutes is not enough time for takeout and other business on both the East and West Beaches. We are extending that to 30 minutes. Council heard from residents that they want a chance to park at the West Beach and enjoy their ongoing connection with our Waterfront. We are also making that change, providing four-hour parking for residents with decals.”
Parking Maps
East Beach
West Beach
